Daniel Ricciardo: “None of us expected this”

Author of an excellent start and leader from the first lap, Daniel Ricciardo offered himself the 8th victory of his career in Formula 1. The Australian driver is enjoying his success after a complicated start to the season.

Published on 12/09/2021 à 17:27

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Daniel Ricciardo: “None of us expected this”

Daniel Ricciardo won the Italian GP ahead of his teammate, Lando Norris - Photo Joao Filipe / DPPI

Three years after his victory in Monaco, Daniel Ricciardo returns to the top step of the podium. Author of a race full of mastery, the Australian driver concluded his excellent weekend with this victory. With his teammate Lando Norris, he allows his team to achieve the double for the first time since 2010. " For McLaren, being on the podium is huge, and doing the double is even stronger. For once, I no longer have the words. To win and get a double is insane”.

Australia celebrating today 🔝🇦🇺🦘

After the success of @wallabies against the Boks, @danielricciardo wins at Monza in front of his teammate @McLarenF1 @LandoNorris 👌

Un #ItalianGP marked by an incredible crash between #Verstappen et # Hamilton 🇮🇹

▶ https://t.co/7plkVVV12v pic.twitter.com/LsmrJRWvKc

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) September 12, 2021

During the race, the Australian driver did not expect such a scenario. « Even if we got a good start, we had no guarantee of being able to lead the entire race. I was able to stay in front during the first stint. I didn't feel like I had good top speed but it was enough to hold Max off (Verstappen) behind me. Then there was the safety car, but leading from start to finish... I don't think any of us expected that ».

Oh yes 👟🍾#ItalianGP 🇮🇹 @danielricciardo pic.twitter.com/MA4O1C3f2f

- Formula 1 (@ F1) September 12, 2021

A vacation to start from scratch

It is therefore a huge relief for him, after a very complicated start to the season where the Australian suffered from the comparison with the British driver. “The vacation was good for me, just to reset. I felt better these last three Grands Prix.”

Find the analysis of the Italian Grand Prix by our experts in AUTOhebdo No. 2329, available from Monday evening in digital version and Wednesday on newsstands.